Buffalo Bills trade WR Lee Evans to Ravens

“There’ll be about half of them that like it, and half that won’t,” Nix said. “That’s the way most of the decisions are.”

Without Evans, the Bills are relying on Stevie Johnson to take over the No. 1 spot after the fourth-year player enjoyed a breakout season last year. He led the team with 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. Roscoe Parrish, a six-year veteran, returns to play in the slot after missing the final half of last season with a broken wrist.

Also in the group is David Nelson, who emerged as a third-down specialist last year. And then there’s 2010 fourth-round draft pick Marcus Easley, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. Easley had just resumed practicing this week after missing 10 days with a hyper-extended knee.

Also in the mix is Craig Davis, who is attempting to jump-start his career after four injury-troubled seasons with San Diego. A 2007 first-round draft pick, Davis signed with the Bills on Aug. 5.

Evans, selected in the first-round of the 2004 draft out of Wisconsin, posted a note on his website thanking Bills owner Ralph Wilson and Bills fans for their support. But after seven non-playoff seasons in Buffalo, Evans was also eager to be heading to Baltimore.

“This is a very exciting time for me and my family, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity,” he wrote. “I can’t wait to get started.”

His best season came in 2006, when he had 82 catches for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns.

Evans ranks third on the Bills‘ career list with 5,934 receiving yards. He’s also fourth with 377 receptions and fifth with 43 touchdowns.